By Paul Honda
paul@hondareport.com
Sunday, Jan. 14, 2007

Watching the ILH's best boys basketball teams battle is a study in free-market strategy and competitive edge.

How and when do the best of the ILH find their niche in the pecking order? After seeing Saint Louis hold its ground on home territory the past two nights, it's clear that my hunch was correct, if only for now.

Kamehameha had the Crusaders on the ropes early. Ten-point lead, first half, everything clicking. Second half? Complete turnaround. Saint Louis tweaks its defense, the players execute and Kamehameha goes 2-for-12 from the field after intermission. Saint Louis wins 49-39.

Then Iolani arrives. When they get open looks and rain in the 3-ball, the Raiders compete with anybody. So they sank six treys in the first half courtesy of Ryan Dung and Case Miyahira. Saint Louis makes some adjustments again at the half and wins close, 51-48.

If you are a coach, and you want to have the flexibility to execute technical changes, first and foremost, the will of the team must be there. Then, coupled with the physical ability and skill, the onus of the game is on the opposing team and coaches.

Saint Louis is certainly gifted with very good athletes who love to play defense. How do you convince an entire team to work that hard for 32 minutes? Different coaches have different methods, but the ones that work for Delbert Tengan and assistant coach Duke Aiona have not failed, not for years and years.

Offense will come and go. Scott Smith is heading for an All-State finish as one of the best centers in the state, and certainly as one of the best in Saint Louis history. But defense is again Saint Louis' hallmark, and that's what separates the Crusaders from the rest of the state, with one exception.

Punahou-Saint Louis, the sequel, isn't long off now. I'd pay to see that.

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